For the first time, on Monday 20th June 2011, ‘’Air-Born’’ held, in co-operation with Athens International Airport, "Eleftherios Venizelos", a truly historic event for the collection of aviation data in Greece. We participated in the first organized experience of plane-spotting within the grounds of the airport itself. ‘’Air-Born’’ and its members, as major participants in the amateur hobby of plane-spotting in Greece, have been active in the hobby since the 1980's until the present date and have managed to enlighten the public about a previously misunderstood hobby.

Following wide acceptance by many regional airports around Greece and the trust that was also shown by the Hellenic Air Force after numerous visits to various airport facilities, it was the turn of the largest airport in the country to open its doors and accept a visit from ‘’Air-Born’’.

© Alexandros Filippopoulos

The 20th June 2011 is therefore considered to be a milestone date for plane-spotting in Greece. Following the official recognition of our hobby in our country and the recording of landmarks surrounding the airport, Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos", was added to the still relatively short list of airports worldwide that support the hobby of plane-spotting with the organized observation of aircraft within the grounds of the airport. European airports such as Amsterdam, Zurich, Manchester, Milan, Barcelona, Moscow and Frankfurt, have for many years now, also shown support for the plane-spotters' enthusiasm through photography. The formation of ‘’Air-Born’’ in 2004 put Greece, once and for all, on the map of countries that recognize the importance of such enthusiasm in promoting aviation in their homeland.

The members of ‘’Air-Born’’, in co-operation with the airport authorities, recorded and photographed the day of most interest within Athens airport (Monday), from 0900 - 1800 hrs. The event was a total success without creating any problems for the flights and also laid the foundations for a stable co-operation in Greece, as well as abroad, so that it could be up-graded to an international event that could give our country points on the European and worldwide map of air enthusiasts in association with aviation communities.

Air operators and airlines in Greece and abroad have already accepted and support the suggestions by ‘’Air-Born’’ in all the years of its activity. The aviation community supports and promotes the spread of this expressional idea of aviation with the aim to familiarize and bring it out in a place gave birth to Icarus. Let’s give this legendary land the value of it's worth.

© Georgios Pantalos

Hellenic Aviation Enthusiasts Society "Air-Born" would like to thank Alexandros Philippopoulos (AIA Officer and member of our association ) for all his help before and during the day, Ioanna Papadopoulou (Director of Marketing and P.R. AIA), Ioannis Metsovitis (Director of Air Services), Aristidis Patrikakos (Head of Operations in the aircraft movement area), George Brelios (Airport Security Manager), AIA Public Relations Office, for their co-operation and support in an initiative that was seeking recognition for many years and has finally proved that, with positive determination, where there is a will, there is a way, and the only way is forward and not the reverse.

Photos from this visit can be found in our website gallery section.